Ben Barba receives apology after NRL investigation into racial abuse on social media

Updated
Wed 12 Mar 2014, 9:05 AM AEDT

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Ben Barba has been the subject of racial abuse on social media.

Getty Images: Renee McKay

An 18-year-old Dapto man has apologised to Brisbane Broncos star Ben Barba for racially abusing him on social media.

The NRL said in a statement the Country Rugby League (CRL) player spoke to Barba on the phone on Tuesday afternoon and expressed remorse for the abuse on Instagram.

"I appreciate that people can make mistakes and I accept the apology offered," Barba said.

"I was once a teenager and made mistakes. I believe as long as this young man receives some education on racial abuse and the effects it has, he can learn from the incident.

"I certainly don't want him lost from our game."

The NRL and CRL said the player will not be allowed to take part in any rugby league activities until he undergoes a cultural awareness program and convinces the ARL Indigenous Council and Indigenous Elders of his remorse.

I believe as long as this young man receives some education on racial abuse and the effects it has, he can learn from the incident.

Ben Barba

The NRL Integrity Unit met with the man and his family and the actions to be taken come after consultation between the NRL, CRL, ARL Indigenous Council, the Broncos and the family.

NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle said the action taken by the league was further evidence the NRL will not tolerate racism.

"We take these matters very seriously and will continue to act strongly on any form of racial abuse in our game," he said.

"Rugby league is an inclusive sport and vilification will not be tolerated.

"It is important we continue to educate everyone that this sort of behaviour is unacceptable, both in rugby league and in society in general."

ARL Indigenous Council chair Linda Burney said: "I am pleased to join the NRL in its condemnation and action taken on this issue.

Racial abuse unfortunately regular for Barba

The league's intervention came as Barba's father Ken called on the governing body to crack down on racism, saying his son was spat on during games for the Bulldogs last year and is sick and tired of abuse.

The Canterbury fan sparked the Instagram row the night of Barba's Brisbane debut against the Bulldogs.

The NRL was eager to take a tough stance on the race issue.

"This is a serious matter. Racism will not be tolerated in any form," NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle said.

"Rugby league is an inclusive game and there is no excuse for behaviour that vilifies any member of the game or the community.

"We are in the process of speaking with the individual involved and his family."

Speaking to News Corp, Ken Barba said he wanted the NRL to take the same strong stance on the issue as the AFL did last year when Sydney superstar Adam Goodes was racially vilified during a game by a teenage female supporter.

"The game needs to take a stand on this," he said.

"I'm very disappointed.

"(Ben) is constantly being degraded and I hope the NRL can find this person and do something about it because enough is enough."